I. INTRODUCTION The past decade has brought heightened awareness of the tension between free international trade and the protection of endangered species.1 The timing of this conflict can be attributed to two trends. In the international trade arena, governments have continued to open their borders not only by lowering tariffs but also by reducing nontariff barriers (NTBs), such as quotas.2 Consequently, national economies have been exposed to increased competition from abroad.3 While many support this trend, others have attempted to use new forms of protectionism, such as environmental and labor regulations, to control the inflow of foreign goods and services that compete with domestic products.4 On the environmental front, wealthy nations have become increasingly aware of destruction to the environment caused by their industrialization.5 These nations are currently attempting to slow environmental degradation by enacting laws and promulgating regulations. Many of these provisions affect international trade.fi The goals of free trade and environmental protection often conflict and are rarely addressed by the same forum, making reconciliation a near impossibility.7 There is currently no single international institution that makes rules and settles disputes between trade and the environment without having a bias toward either side.8 International environmental law is primarily governed by Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs),9 an institutional trend, which grew out of bilateral agreements concerning specific environmental issues.10 Most MEAs implement their agendas by enforcing trade restrictions on their members.ll Such trade restrictions are often referred to as ETMs (environmental trade measures). An ETM " `is a restriction on international trade with the announced purpose of promoting an environmental objective' and has `an actual or potential impact on international trade."' 12 The use of trade restrictions to enforce MEAs, however, often conflicts with the basic principles of the underlying international trade agreement.13 The World Trade Organization (WTO) generally interprets its principles promoting fair and free trade in a manner that leaves no room for measures to protect endangered species.14 The Convention on the International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES) is an example of an MEA that uses ETMs to achieve its conservationist goals.15 CITES regulates the international trade of endangered species in such a way that effectively prohibits trade in certain species.16 Consequently, CITES's enforcement mechanisms often conflict with the basic principles of the WTO.17 Whether ETMs are the most effective method for enforcing environmental protection measures is a hotly debated issue.18 Proponents of free trade often view MEAs like CITES as protectionist measures designed to decrease competition to domestic producers by preventing the importation of foreign goods, rather than as purely conservationist measures designed to protect the environment.19 The General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT)20 allows countries that do not have strict environmental regulations to produce goods cheaply, because they are not subject to stringent environmental standards that often raise the cost of production.21 Producers from such countries can then export those goods to countries where the goods will compete with more expensive products manufactured under strict environmental standards.22 Others argue that ETMs are not an effective way of achieving environmental protection goals because they do not attack the problem itself.23 Because ETMs only indirectly address the problem of environmental abuse, absurd consequences often result. For example, CITES prohibited trade in ivory until very recently.24 Because the ban lowered the value of ivory on the world market, many Africans necessarily relied more on income from farming.25 Thus, they were less tolerant of the growing elephant population, which trampled their fields and, as a result, killed more elephants. …


Perception and expectation of citizens is an important factor in urban settlement, planning and management. Hence, there is a need of a participatory citizen centric planning of urban settlement based on spatial data. These perception and expectation may be represented in terms of emotions. Determining Urban Emotions is an approach which can be used to map different types of emotions associated with urbanization. In the recent years, some new methods have been presented for the area of urban and spatial planning, which resulted in a fundamental change of the issues and understanding of urban planning. Geographical information system acts as a key factor for analyzing urban emotions from various types of data. This paper presents the supervised learning approach for determining urban emotions using K-Nearest Neighbor algorithm.


In this thesis, a new approach to estimation problems under the presence of bounded uncertain parameters and statistical noise has been presented. The objective is to use the uncertainty model which appears as the most appropriate for every kind of uncertainty. This leads to the need to consider uncertain stochastic systems and to study how the two types of uncertainty combine : statistical noise is modeled as the centered gaussian variable and the unknown but bounded parameters are approximated by intervals. This results in an estimation problem that demands the development of mixed filters and a set-theoretic strategy. The attention is drawn on set inversion problems and constraint satisfaction problems. The former is the foundation of a method for solving interval equations, and the latter can significantly improve the speed of interval based arithmetic and algorithms. An important contribution of this work consists in proposing an interval matrix inversion method which couples the algorithm SIVIA with the construction of a list of constraint propagation problems. The system model is formalized as an uncertain stochastic system. Starting with the interval Kalman filtering algorithm proposed in [Chen 1997] and that we name the IKF, an improved interval Kalman filtering algorithm (iIKF) is proposed. This algorithm is based on interval conditional expectation for interval linear systems. The iIKF has the same structure as the conventional Kalman filter while achieving guaranteed statistical optimality. The recursive computational scheme is developed in the set-membership context. Our improvements achieve guaranteed interval inversion whereas the original version IKF [Chen 1997] uses an instance (the upper bound) of the interval matrix to avoid the possible singularity problems. This point of view leads to a sub-optimal solution that does not preserve guaranteed results, some solutions being lost. On the contrary, in the presence of unknown-but-bounded parameters and measurement statistical errors, our estimation approach in the form of the iIKF provides guaranteed estimates, while maintaining a computational burden comparable to that of classic statistical approaches. Several constraint based techniques have also been implemented to limit the overestimation effect due to interval propagation within the interval Kalman filter recursive structure. The results have shown that the iIKF out puts bounded estimates that enclose all the solutions consistent with bounded errors and achieves good overestimation control. iIKF is used to propose a fault detection algorithm which makes use of a Semi-Closed Loop strategy which does not correct the state estimate with the measure as soon as a fault is detected. Two methods for generating fault indicators are proposed : they use the a priori state estimate and a threshold based on the a posteriori and a priori covariance matrix, respectively, and check the consistency against the measured output. Through different examples, the advantages of the iIKF with respect to previous versions are exhibited and the efficiency of the iIKF based Semi-Closed Loop fault detection algorithm is clearly demonstrated.


Acoustic data recorded in various sea conditions with the hull‐mounted multibeam swath bathymetry system SeaBeam 2000 aboard R. V. MELVILLE have been analyzed to quantify the relationship between the ship's attitude and the relative noise levels observable in the data. The data consist of concurrent time series of echo magnitude and direction of arrival for each transmission cycle, and of the three attitude components roll, pitch, and heave. Although higher noise levels are usually associated with pitch, in these data heave has the greatest impact on noise level, presumably because of bubble syphoning from the areated surface layer. In addition, a slight change in the trim of the ship from horizontal to bow up results in an average relative noise increase of about 12 dB. [Research supported by ONR.]


Recent research suggests a diverse range of motivational influences are involved in the decision to gamble and in the maintenance of gambling behaviour. However, to date, much of the existing research is cross sectional which prevents the temporal nature of gambling motivations and behaviour to be examined. To address this gap, the current longitudinal study surveyed 895 members from a community sample about their gambling behaviour and motivations to gamble at two time periods, twelve months apart. The Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) was employed as a framework to model the respondents' beliefs about expected outcomes of gambling, perceptions of others gambling, erroneous beliefs, intention to gamble and gambling behaviour. Consistent with the assumptions of the TPB, beliefs about the outcomes of gambling, social perceptions and erroneous beliefs were related to the intention to gamble at time one. In addition, the predictive validity of the model was supported with gambling intention (time 1) predicting subsequent gambling frequency. Further analysis revealed gambling behaviour was equally as intentional for non at-risk gamblers (PGSI = 0) and those classified as at-risk gamblers (PGSI > 2). Furthermore, respondents' unplanned behaviour was partial explained by changes in gambling beliefs. Taken together, the current study suggests that the frequency of gambling is predominately intentional, despite the level of gambling involvement, and that changes in motivation correspond with changes in gambling behaviour.


The incidence of systemic amyloidosis in CD-1 mice (Charles River, caesarian derived) obtained from long term studies over more than a 15-year period is reported. The survey included samples of visceral organs, peripheral and central nervous tissues, bone and bone marrow. The total incidence in all mice of this survey did not show any clear evidence of a difference between males and females. Amyloidosis deposits were mainly seen in the stomach (glandular), heart, small intestines, kidney, liver, spleen, thyroid, parathyroid, adrenals, salivary glands and ovaries, but not in the brain, spinal cord, bone or bone marrow. The survey showed that amyloidosis in CD-1 mice was spontaneous, systemic and it is age-related. Amyloid deposition was extracellular and it stained positively with Congo Red and also stained positively with Oil Red O and Alcian blue. In general, amyloidosis in CD-1 mice, was higher in comparison with B6C3F (cross between C57BL/C6 NCRLB and C3H/HEN NCRLB, (bred by Charles River), CFLP strain (hysterectomy derived strain of Swiss origin) and MAGF: TIF (SPF). This survey also showed that spontaneous systemic amyloidosis in CD-1 mice, was one of the major factors contributory to death in aging CD-1 mice.


An optimal level of NO has protective effects in atherosclerosis, whereas large amounts contribute to septic shock. To study how statins, the potent inhibitors of cholesterol synthesis, regulate NO in the vascular wall, we determined their effects on interleukin-1β (IL-1β)- and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced NO production in aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Compared with the large amounts of NO and inducible NO synthase (iNOS) protein expression induced by LPS, the responses of IL-1β were modest. Various statins were found to inhibit LPS-induced iNOS expression and NO production, although they potentiated IL-1β responses. In addition, fluvastatin increased IL-1β-induced p65 nuclear translocation and nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) activity, although it inhibited those induced by LPS. To address the role of small G proteins in statin's actions, farnesyl transferase inhibitors [α-hydroxyfarne-sylphosphonic acid and (2S)-2-[[(2S)-2-[(2S,3S)-2-[(2R)-2-amino-3-mercaptopropyl]amino]-3-methylpentyl]oxy]-1-oxo-3-phenylpropyl]amino]-4-(methylsulfonyl)-butanoic acid 1-methylethyl ester (L-744382)], Rac inhibitor (NSC23766), and Rho-associated kinase (ROCK) inhibitor [N-(4-pyridyl)-4-(1-aminoethyl)cyclohexanecarboxamide dihydrochloride (Y-27632)] were used. We found that Y-27632 potentiated IL-1β-induced iNOS expression, p65 nuclear translocation, IκB kinase (IKK), and NF-κB activation, whereas it had minimal effects on LPS-induced responses. In contrast, farnesyl transferase inhibitors blocked iNOS protein expression induced by LPS and IL-1β, whereas NSC23766 had no effect. Further studies showed that LPS down-regulated Rho and ROCK activity, whereas IL-1β increased them, suggesting a negative role of Rho and ROCK signaling, which is regulated in contrary manners by IL-1β and LPS, in IKK/NF-κB activation. Through abrogating this negative signaling, statins differentially regulate iNOS expression induced by LPS and IL-1β in VSMCs. These differential actions of statins on iNOS gene regulation might provide an additional explanation for the pleiotropic beneficial effects of statins.


Today, more than 12% of the primary energy is lost in the form of waste heat. Thermoelectric generators (TEGs) can convert waste heat directly into electrical power by utilizing the Seebeck effect. The performance of such a generator is defined by a dimensionless figure of merit ZT of the thermoelectric pairs and the resistance R of the metallic contacts between these pairs. The figure of merit of thermoelectric oxides is considerably smaller compared to semiconductors. Still, thermoelectric oxides like calcium cobaltite (Ca3Co4O9) are attractive for applications at elevated temperatures in air. In contrast to the established π-type architecture of common TEGs, tape casting and multilayer technology may be applied for cost-effective manufacturing of oxide TEGs. Promising demonstrations of multilayer TEGs have been published in the last years. Still, the development of reliable and scalable manufacturing processes and proper material combinations is necessary. The aim of our project is to evaluate the feasibility of low temperature co-fired ceramics (LTCC) technology for a practical manufacturing of oxide multilayer TEGs of Ca3Co4O9 (p-type) and calcium manganate (CaMnO3, n-type). Ca3Co4O9 exhibits an undesired phase decomposition at 926 °C. Because of that, the application of sintering strategies and interconnect concepts well known from LTCC technology is a promising approach. We present results of pressure-assisted sintering of Ca3Co4O9 multilayer at 900 °C and axial pressures of up to 7.5 MPa. Ca3Co4O9 was produced by solid state reaction of CaCO3 and cobalt(II,III)oxide at 900 °C. Green tapes were prepared by a doctor-blade process, manually stacked and laminated by uniaxial thermocompression. Sintering was conducted in a LTCC sintering press between SiC setter plates. The thickness shrinkage was recorded by an in-situ technique. After sintering under 7.5 MPa, the microstructure of the single phase material shows a high density of 95 % and an advantageous alignment of the platelet grains. This results in good electrical conductivity and a comparatively high ZT of 0.018 at room temperature. However, the lowering of CaMnO3 sintering temperature from above 1200 °C to below 920 °C remains a challenge. To select a proper metal paste for interconnections of an oxide TEG, several pastes have been investigated regarding contact resistance of internal and external (soldered) connections in a preliminary study. Commercial pastes containing Ag, Au, Au/Pt, Ag/Pd, and Ag/Pd/Bi were manually applied and post-fired on sintered test bars of Ca3Co4O9 and CaMnO3 at 900 °C for 2 h. All tested pastes formed mechanically stable metallization after firing. For resistance measurement, 4-wire method and a custom-made probe head were used. The contacts on Ca3Co4O9 exhibit significantly (2-sample t-test, α = 5%) higher resistance compared to contacts on CaMnO3. Pure silver paste exhibits the lowest resistance for internal contacts on both materials, lower than 5 mΩ on CaMnO3. Ag/Pd/Bi paste resulted in conspicuously high variance of resistance. EDX analyses clarified an enrichment of Bi in the thermoelectric material near the interface and thereby the formation of an oxide layer with probably high electrical resistance. The thickness of that layer varies with the thickness of metallization. In conclusion, the use of Bi containing pastes is not advisable. Pure Ag paste shows the best results regarding resistance and solderability.


ABSTRACT This article is concerned with an early phase in the history of educational comparisons in which international exhibitions played a major role as spaces for comparison. It looks at the educational exhibits at the Exposition Universelle in Paris 1900, and more specifically its exhibitions on drawing instruction. By following a central Swedish actor, Hjalmar Berg, and his ambition to modernise drawing instruction in Sweden based on his impressions at the exhibition, the article argues that the exhibition was a medium with the potential to promote aesthetic modernisation. Previous research has highlighted the world's fairs as important arenas for the international comparison of education. This article is intended to contribute to this field by also exploring what these exhibitions meant on a national level. Graphical Abstract


The morphologic characteristics and the evolution of most gastric ulcers are frequently unpredictable, and hence, in my opinion, most chronic gastric ulcers should be removed surgically without too much delay. After making such a bald statement, I should like to emphasize the fact that some small benign gastric ulcers and occasionally large ones may respond in an amazing fashion to a course of nonsurgical treatment. On the other hand, although many chronic gastric ulcers may seem to respond temporarily to a medical regimen, recurrence of the ulceration is frequent. This recurrence may be a new ulcer or a continuation of the original ulceration which did not heal but merely seemed to, and the recurrent lesion may be even larger and of more rapid growth than the original lesion. During this period, even while the patient has been on more or less of a medical regimen, fairly frequently there has been


Abstract Background: Vancomycin is the first-choice antibiotic for infants with β-lactam-resistant gram-positive bacterial infection. Despite long experience of prescribing of this drug optimal dosing is still challenging. This study aimed at investigating variables predicting vancomycin clearance in order to propose optimal maintenance dosing in infants treated for suspected or culture-proven sepsis. Methods: Vancomycin pharmacokinetics was calculated in a one-compartmental model based on serum concentrations. A linear regression model was used to explore relationships between vancomycin clearance and expected covariates. Results: Twenty-two patients were enrolled into the study. Median (IQR) postnatal age was 157 (112–238) days. The median (IQR) volume of distribution and clearance for vancomycin were 0.50 (0.39–0.94) L/kg and 0.112 (0.095–0.133) L/h/kg, respectively. Vancomycin clearance was associated with actual body weight, height, body surface area, gestational age, postnatal age, postmenstrual age and estimate glomerular filtration rate. Actual body weight was the best predictive variable for vancomycin clearance. Daily maintenance dose (mg) calculated as 76.28 × actual body weight (kg) – 41.57 most closely approximated optimal dosing based on individual pharmacokinetics. This relationship was used to construct a dosing nomogram. Conclusions: We developed an easy-to-use dosing nomogram for maintaining a vancomycin average steady-state concentration of 22.5 mg/L based on actual body weight.


We consider a spherical pendulum whose suspension point performs high-frequency oscillations. We derive the averaged over these oscillations Hamiltonian of the problem. We assume that these oscillations are such that the averaged Hamiltonian is invariant with respect to rotations about the vertical direction. Under this assumption we give complete description of bifurcations of phase portraits of the averaged system.


Conversational search is a relatively young area of research that aims at automating an information-seeking dialogue. In this article, we help to position it with respect to other research areas within conversational artificial intelligence (AI) by analysing the structural properties of an information-seeking dialogue. To this end, we perform a large-scale dialogue analysis of more than 150K transcripts from 16 publicly available dialogue datasets. These datasets were collected to inform different dialogue-based tasks including conversational search. We extract different patterns of mixed initiative from these dialogue transcripts and use them to compare dialogues of different types. Moreover, we contrast the patterns found in information-seeking dialogues that are being used for research purposes with the patterns found in virtual reference interviews that were conducted by professional librarians. The insights we provide (1) establish close relations between conversational search and other conversational AI tasks and (2) uncover limitations of existing conversational datasets to inform future data collection tasks.


The article studies the peculiarities of development of the regions in Azerbaijan economy and analyzes some indicators characterizing the current state of economic development and usage of natural resources in Absheron and Sheki-Zagatala economic regions of the country. The ecological potential of the country and its economic regions has significant importance in increasing of the usage of natural resources and in ensuring the sustainable development. By taking into consideration this the essence of ecological rent is explained and for the first time its quantity is determined comparatively in Absheron and Sheki-Zagatala economic regions of Azerbaijan by using N.N. Klyuev method of determining the "ecological tax". Keywords: ecological rent, sustainable development, oil and natural gas production, Azerbaijan economy, Absheron region, Sheki-Zagatala region, technological and physiological energy consumption, biological productivity, land areas, forests, arable


In the process of developing distributed applications, system reliability, availability, openness, resource sharing and reusability, etc. are very complex and difficult to solve. Recent research into agent theory has demonstrated that agent-oriented technology may be effective in handling these problems. The paper first discusses the relationships of distributed systems from an agent viewpoint, then presents an agent framework based on distributed objects which could be used to construct enterprise distributed applications. To enhance the openness and resource sharing in distributed systems, an agent communication language-KQML is introduced and implemented in the framework.


Rembold, Christopher M., Matthew O'Connor, Michael Clarkson, Robert L. Wardle, and Richard A. Murphy. Selected Contribution: HSP20 phosphorylation in nitroglycerinand forskolin-induced sustained reductions in swine carotid media tone. J Appl Physiol 91: 1460–1466, 2001.—Cyclic nucleotide-induced relaxation of maximally activated arterial smooth muscle has two phases. 1) The initial relaxation transient is typically characterized by a rapid reduction in force associated with brief reductions in myoplasmic Ca21 concentration ([Ca]i) and myosin regulatory light chain (MRLC) phosphorylation on serine (Ser)-19 (Ser19). 2) The sustained inhibitory response is typically associated with Ser16 phosphorylation of heat shock protein 20 (HSP20) without sustained reductions in [Ca]i or MRLC phosphorylation. We investigated whether the extent of Ser16-HSP20 phosphorylation quantitatively correlated with the sustained inhibitory response. With addition of nitroglycerin to histamine-stimulated swine carotid media, the initial relaxation transient was associated with a decrease in MRLC phosphorylation without an increase in Ser16-HSP20 phosphorylation. During the sustained phase of nitroglycerininduced relaxation and during force redevelopment induced by washout of nitroglycerin in the continued presence of histamine, the level of Ser16-HSP20 phosphorylation, but not MRLC phosphorylation, correlated with inhibition of force. Forskolin, which increases cAMP concentration, also induced a sustained inhibitory response that was associated with increases in Ser16-HSP20 phosphorylation without reductions in MRLC phosphorylation levels. Forskolin increased Ser16-HSP20 phosphorylation to a greater extent and inhibited force more completely than that observed with nitroglycerin. Increases in Ser16-HSP20 phosphorylation correlated with the degree of force inhibition regardless of whether the relaxation was induced by nitroglycerin or forskolin. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that Ser16-HSP20 phosphorylation may be a cyclic nucleotide-dependent, yet MRLC phosphorylation-independent, inhibitor of smooth muscle contractile force.


PURPOSE
To determine the rates, predisposing factors, and visual outcomes of retinal detachment (RD) after Boston Keratoprosthesis (KPro) implantation.

METHODS
In this noncomparative, interventional case series, the medical records of 170 patients (205 eyes) who underwent Boston type 1 and type 2 KPro implantation at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary between April 1993 and June 2009 were retrospectively reviewed. Incidence and annual rates of RD were calculated, and the roles of possible predictive factors for RD after KPro were investigated. Main outcome measures were rates of and risk factors for RD, visual acuity after RD, and surgical outcomes after repair.

RESULTS
Sterile vitritis and autoimmune systemic disease significantly predisposed patients to RD after KPro placement. Of patients who developed RD after implantation, 50% progressed to visual acuity of no light perception despite surgical repair.

CONCLUSIONS
Inflammation plays a major role in RD development after KPro implantation. Patients with predisposing factors should be advised of the high rates of RD and comanaged with a vitreoretinal specialist.


The development of new dielectric materials that allow the reduction of size and weight of electronic components has been in the scope of the researchers. The bismuth-based dielectric ceramics are extensively studied for this purpose, namely, the bismuth niobate (BiNbO 4 ). The first attempt to improve BiNbO 4 occurred in 1992 when Kagata reported the microwave dielectric properties of bismuth niobate doped with the addition of oxides. This chapter will present a brief review of the several attempts that have been carried out to enhance the dielectric properties of BiNbO 4 by modifying their structure through addition, doping, or atom(s) substitution. This manuscript focuses on a case study that involves bismuth substitution by europium ions. To investigate the inclusion of europium in BiNbO 4 ceramics, (Bi 1–x Eu x )NbO 4 samples were prepared using the sol-gel method, in particular, the citrate route. The structure of the prepared samples was studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectroscopy and the morphology by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The dielectric properties were studied, in the microwave frequency range (MW), using the resonant cavity method, and in the radio frequency range (RF), with the impedance spectroscopy technique.


Out-of-distribution (OOD) detection and lossless compression constitute two problems that can be solved by the training of probabilistic models on a first dataset with subsequent likelihood evaluation on a second dataset, where data distributions differ. By defining the generalization of probabilistic models in terms of likelihood we show that, in the case of image models, the OOD generalization ability is dominated by local features. This motivates our proposal of a Local Autoregressive model that exclusively models local image features towards improving OOD performance. We apply the proposed model to OOD detection tasks and achieve state-of-the-art unsupervised OOD detection performance without the introduction of additional data. Additionally, we employ our model to build a new lossless image compressor: NeLLoC (Neural Local Lossless Compressor) and report state-of-the-art compression rates and model size.


We investigate lens orbital motion in astrometric microlensing and its detectability. In microlensing events, the light centroid shift in the source trajectory (the astrometric trajectory) falls off much more slowly than the light amplification as the source distance from the lens position increases. As a result, perturbations developed with time such as lens orbital motion can make considerable deviations in astrometric trajectories. The rotation of the source trajectory due to lens orbital motion produces a more detectable astrometric deviation because the astrometric cross-section is much larger than the photometric one. Among binary microlensing events with detectable astrometric trajectories, those with stellar-mass black holes have most likely detectable astrometric signatures of orbital motion. Detecting lens orbital motion in their astrometric trajectories helps to discover further secondary components around the primary even without any photometric binarity signature as well as resolve close/wide degeneracy. For these binary microlensing events, we evaluate the efficiency of detecting orbital motion in astrometric trajectories and photometric light curves by performing Monte Carlo simulation. We conclude that astrometric efficiency is 87.3 per cent whereas the photometric efficiency is 48.2 per cent.


Cursive characters can be made to be more readable, more attractive, and better suited to the operation of graphic CRT terminals than the usual dot-matrix type; a system using cursive-type characters achieves much higher writing rate while requiring much less bandwidth than that using dot-matrix-type characters. An economical method of generating the x, y, and z analog signals for forming cursive characters with the deflection system of a CRT is presented. A circuit design embodying a complete 48-stroke character generator on a single MOS integrated circuit is described. The IC accepts 7-bit ASCII code and outputs x, y, and z analog signals to generate any one of 32 standard ASCII characters in 5 /spl mu/s. Additional groups of 32 characters can be added by merely paralleling additional chips. The entire 32 character digital and analog function has been implemented on a single self-contained 16-pin silicon-gate MOS chip 125/spl times/165 mil in size. Character encoding on the chip is accomplished in one mask at the diffusion step, and a straightforward mask-generation procedure has been developed.


SUMMARY

Ullucus tuberosus (Basellaceae) plants from 12 locations in the Andean highlands of Peru and Bolivia contained complexes of either three or four viruses. Specimens from six sites in Peru contained a potexvirus, a tobamovirus, a potyvirus and a comovirus, but those from another location lacked the potexvirus. All samples from five sites in Bolivia lacked the tobamovirus.

The potexvirus (PMV/U) is a strain of papaya mosaic virus differing slightly from the type strain (PMV/T) in inducing milder symptoms in some common hosts and failing to infect a few other species. It symptomlessly infected U. tuberosus, and infected 15 of 29 species from seven of nine other families. PMV/U showed a close serological relationship to PMV/T and to boussingaultia mosaic virus and a distant relationship to commelina virus X, but it is apparently unrelated to any of ten other potexviruses.

The tobamovirus (TMV/U) induced symptomless or inconspicuous infection in U. tuberosus, and infected 21 of 30 species from six of eight other families. It showed a very distant serological relationship to some strains of ribgrass mosaic, tobacco mosaic and tomato mosaic viruses, but failed to react with antisera to cucumber green mottle mosaic, frangipani mosaic, odontoglossum ringspot and sunn-hemp mosaic viruses.

The potyvirus, tentatively designated ullucus mosaic virus (UMV), alone in U. tuberosus induced leaf symptoms indistinguishable from the chlorotic mottling and distortion found in naturally infected plants. UMV infected 12 of 20 species from four other families, and was transmitted in the non-persistent manner by Myzus persicae. It showed a distant serological relationship to only two (bidens mottle and alstroemeria mosaic) of 25 members or possible members of the potyvirus group tested.

Some hosts and properties of the comovirus are described in an accompanying paper.

None of the four viruses infected potato (Solanum tuberosum) and, with the possible exception of UMV, they differed from viruses reported previously to infect three other vegetatively propagated Andean crops (Oxalis tuberosa, Arracacia xanthorrhiza and Tropaeolum tuberosum).


Over the generations, automobiles mode is progressively reshaping patterns of living by increasing the accessibility and interconnectedness between different regions. Hence, sustainability of community development largely depends upon the establishment of efficient transportation network to serve automobile mode effectively in an urban corridor. The review of literature clarifies that; the service quality of urban street facilities has been evaluated since nineties. However, urban street infrastructural developments in emerging countries like India is still far away from satisfactory irrespective of current improvements based on the applications of existing evaluation strategies. This is due to the fact that: application of LOS model developed for homogeneous traffic conditions will fail to quantify the service provision criteria and heterogeneity of urban streets in developing countries. With the aim of justifying the existing approaches, this study proposed suitable Automobile Level of Service (ALOS) models to assess service quality provided by three different urban street facilities, namely, road links, signalised intersections and uncontrolled intersections operating under heterogeneous traffic flow conditions. To achieve the objective of this research, a broad spectrum of geometrical, traffic operational, built-environmental and behavioural data sets are collected from a widely varying driving environment through field investigations, videography techniques, and perception survey. About 102 road links, 45 signalised intersections and 47 unsignalized intersections from nine Indian cities, are investigated in this study. Each investigated site has been rated on a scale of 1–6 (worst–excellent) by at least 20 drivers immediately after driving. The influence of different service attributes towards perceived ALOS score is examined with the help of Spearman's correlation analysis. Six significant variables are identified to have influence on drivers' satisfaction level at urban road links, such as: Peak hour traffic volume per effective road width (PHV/ We), Average travel speed (Savg), Pavement condition index (PCI), On-street parking turnover (P), Land use pattern (LU) and Hindrance factors (HF). Similarly, PHV/ We, Control delay (d), PCI, Queue length (Ql), Interruptions due to non-motorized traffic (ONV) and oppositely moving Encounters (OE) are the variables, which have significant influence on drivers' riding quality at signalized intersections. For uncontrolled intersections, PCI, Presence of median barrier (PoM), Critical gap (tc), LU, OE and Service delay (Ts) are found to have significant influence on driver's comfort level under heterogeneous traffic flow conditions. Resulting significant variables are used as input variables in different statistical techniques and Artificial Intelligence techniques, namely, ordered logit modelling, ordered probit modelling, Artificial Neural Network (ANN), Functionally Linked Artificial Neural Network (FLANN) and Differential Evolution (DE), to predict ALOS scores of respective street facilities. Prediction performance of different modelling approaches are tested based on several statistical parameters and FLANN model is found to be the most efficient one in defining ALOS scores of urban road links with coefficient of determination (R2) value of 0.934 and 0.908 for training and testing datasets respectively. FLANN model is also found out to be suitable in defining ALOS scores of signalized intersections with R2 values of 0.949 and 0.895 for training and testing datasets respectively. Whereas, Bayesian Regularization Neural Network is found to be suitable in defining ALOS scores of uncontrolled intersections with R2 of 0.947 and 0.928 for training and testing datasets respectively. An associative ALOS score is assigned to six classes (A-F). More than 70% of studied road facilities are examined to offer service categories of 'C' or below. The relative importance of each service attribute is determined with the help of model sensitivity analysis, and ranked in order of specific percentage value based on their degree of relative importance. PCI is reported to have the influence on drivers' riding quality at road links and uncontrolled intersections with relative percentage contribution of 26.783% and 37.116% respectively. Hence, the pavement surface requires regular maintenance for smooth ride of vehicles, which in turn increase the serviceability to achieve a higher ALOS category. Whereas, Ql plays a significant role in fixing ALOS standards of signalized intersections, which have highest negative influence of 67.153%. Hence, optimizing traffic signalization timings and increasing effective green time for major approaches of an intersection in peak hours will significantly enhance the service quality of respective intersections. Similarly, other parameters are ranked in decreasing order of their relative importance. Based on the sensitivity analysis report, several improvement strategies are outlined in this study, which will help the transport authorities to identify operational issues of existing street facilities, and to design a users' friendly transport system with better driving environment.


The European Commission proposes a minimum of 10 % biofuels in the total transport fuel use by 2020. The new 10% minimum target in 2020 is combined with the existing regulation, which fixes the target at 5.75% in 2010. This paper will in particular investigates how a full implementation of the 20- 10-20 targets would affect production and trade of oil plants in the EU and its main trade partners on this commodity markets, particularly Malaysia and Indonesia. The global general equilibrium model GLOBE is used to carry out the policy scenarios and to assess the effects on oil palm plantation area in Malaysia and Indonesia. The results show that the increased EU bio-diesel target will not significantly influence the expansion of palm oil production in Indonesia and Malaysia.


Accessible summary What is known on the subject? Aggressive behaviour is a major problem in clinical practice of mental health care and can result in the use of coercive measures. Coercive measures are dangerous for psychiatric patients and international mental healthcare works on the elimination of these interventions. There is no previous review that summarizes the attitude of nursing staff towards coercive measures and the influence of nursing staff characteristics on attitude towards and the use of coercive measures. What the paper adds to existing knowledge? The attitude of nurses shifted from a therapeutic paradigm (coercive measures have positive effects on patients) to a safety paradigm (coercive measures are undesirable, but necessary for the wards' safety). Nurses express the need for less coercive interventions to prevent seclusion and restraint, but their perception of intrusiveness is influenced by how often they use specific coercive measures. The knowledge from scientific literature on the influence of nursing staff on coercive measures is highly inconclusive, although the feeling of safety of nurses might prove to be promising for further research. What are the implications for practice? There is need for increased attention specifically for the feeling of safety of nurses, to better equip nurses for their difficult work on acute mental health wards. Abstract Introduction The use of coercive measures generally has negative effects on patients. To help prevent its use, professionals need insight into what nurses believe about coercion and which staff determinants may influence its application. There is need for an integrated review on both attitude and influence of nurses on the use of coercion. Aim To summarize literature concerning attitude of nurses towards coercive measures and the influence of staff characteristics on the use of coercive measures. Method Systematic review. Results The attitude of nurses changed during the last two decades from a therapeutic to a safety paradigm. Nurses currently view coercive measures as undesirable, but necessary to deal with aggression. Nurses express the need for less intrusive interventions, although familiarity probably influences its perceived intrusiveness. Literature on the relation between staff characteristics and coercive measures is inconclusive. Discussion Nurses perceive coercive measures as unwanted but still necessary to maintain safety on psychiatric wards. Focussing on the determinants of perception of safety might be a promising direction for future research. Implications for practice Mental health care could improve the focus on the constructs of perceived safety and familiarity with alternative interventions to protect patients from unnecessary use of coercive interventions.


Abstract The research is devoted to the elaboration of the wear part contact estimation using 3D surface texture parameters defined in the standard ISO 25178-2:2012 for contact (it is known that elastic contact gives less wear rate) area, friction, and wear rate determination. In our research, the sphere and random flat surface model was used, where the height of surface asperities h(x, y) had a normal probability distribution. As a result of research, the equations for estimation of the elastic contact area were derived and, we obtained conditions at which it was possible to use equations for flat random surfaces. The results of this study could have wide practical application, for example, in design, choosing the geometrical and physical-mechanical parameters of the parts, calculation of real stresses, wear rate and life time of contact parts, etc.


The thalamus is a central element for the generation of rhythmic oscillatory activity under physiological and pathophysiological conditions. Especially slow oscillations in the delta and theta frequency band which normally occur during slow-wave sleep are associated with a number of neuropsychiatric conditions if they occur during wakefulness and may be the basis for the generation of characteris tic symptoms. This type of slow rhythmic activity requires sus tained membrane hyperpolarization and the cyclic interaction between the pacemaker current, Ih, and the T-type Ca2+ current, IT, on the cellular level. Only recently a critical role of the thalamus in neuroinflammatory diseases like Multiple sclerosis (MS) has been appreciated. However it is unclear how Ih and oscillatory network activity in the thalamocortical sys t em are influenced by MS-related pathologies like demyelination and increases in cytokines. Here we found that general demyelination and pro-inflammatory cytokines differentially modulated the voltage-dependency of Ih in thalamocortical relay neurons and that the availability of this current was an essential parameter for determining the parameters (frequency, number of burs ts) of rhythmic thalamocortical activity which may explain some aspects of MS pathology.


The present invention discloses a method for the purification of polyclonal immunoglobin G (IgG) against type B hepatitis infections, the method comprising the steps of: (i) adsorption of serum on diethylaminoethyl (DEAE) sepharose without elution, in which albumin content in the serum is removed: and (ii) adsorption of the albumin depleted serum on an immobilized dye followed by elution, in which the adsorbed antibodies are eluted in pure form.


A general theory of finite-aperture waveguide-laser resonators is developed which represents the external reflectors by matrices which couple linearly polarized waveguide modes having the same azimuthal symmetry. The theory allows the determination of resonator efficiency, resonator frequencies, and laser near- and far-field patterns. Computations of the coupling loss for the fundamental waveguide mode as a function of mirror curvature, separation, and aperture are in good agreement with recent infinite-aperture calculations in the limit of large apertures and indicate three low-loss configurations: 1) large radius of curvature mirrors close to the guide; 2) "large" radius of curvature mirrors centered at the guide entrance: and 3) generally smaller curvature mirrors separated by half their curvature from the guide entrance. The importance of higher order waveguide modes in determining laser output power and far-field patterns is demonstrated experimentally and compared to theoretical predictions. Design guidelines for the construction of high-efficiency CO 2 , CO, and He-Ne waveguide-laser resonators are summarized in tabular form.


Thank you very much for reading the dilemma of american music and other essays. Maybe you have knowledge that, people have search numerous times for their chosen novels like this the dilemma of american music and other essays, but end up in harmful downloads. Rather than enjoying a good book with a cup of tea in the afternoon, instead they are facing with some infectious virus inside their computer.


In perinatally HIV-infected (PHIV) children, cross-sectional studies reported on subtle structural retinal differences and found associations between the retina and structural brain changes. Our objective is to investigate whether neuroretinal development in PHIV children is similar to the development in healthy matched controls and to explore associations with the brain structure. We measured RT using optical coherence tomography (OCT) on two occasions in 21 PHIV children or adolescents and 23 matched controls–all with good visual acuity–with a mean interval of 4.6 years (SD 0.3). We also included 22 participants (11 PHIV children and 11 controls) together with the follow-up group for a cross-sectional assessment using a different OCT device. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to assess the white matter microstructure. We used linear (mixed) models to assess changes in RT and its determinants (over time), adjusting for age and sex. The development of the retina was similar between the PHIV adolescents and controls. In our cohort, we found that changes in the peripapillary RNFL was significantly associated with changes in WM microstructural makers: fractional anisotropy (coefficient = 0.030, p = 0.022) and radial diffusivity (coefficient = -0.568, p = 0.025). We found comparable RT between groups. A thinner pRNFL was associated with lower WM volume (coefficient = 0.117, p = 0.030). PHIV children or adolescents appear to have a similar development of the retinal structure. In our cohort, the associations between RT and MRI biomarkers underscore the relation between retina and brain.


: The aim of this retrospective study was to describe the occurrence of acute stroke and the effect of treatment measured as mortality, length of hospital stay and discharge to the home in a medical department with a specialized rehabilitation unit. During the period 1.9.1992-31.5.1995 110 patients were discharged to their own home after transient cerebral ischaemia, 23 after subarachnoid haemorrhage, 62 after documented intracerebral haemorrhage and 574 after acute stroke due to infarction or unknown cause. The 636 patients in the last two groups had an in hospital mortality of 18%, a 30-day mortality 18% and a six month mortality of 25%. In the same group the length of hospital stay was 25.6 days and 68% were discharged to their own home. In conclusion the results of treatment of acute stroke in a medical department with a specialized rehabilitation unit were similar to those reported from acute stroke units in Denmark and abroad, but the patients admitted to our department were younger and fewer were single, which may itself reduce mortality and length of hospital stay.


This quide will focus on issues addressed in Wes Moore's book "The Other Wes Moore". You can find videos, books, articles and websites to assist you in your research.


Cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) cable models obtained by a steam curing process have been investigated. These models were subjected to life tests with electrical, thermal, and multiple thermal-electrical stresses. The tests were performed by means of the progressive-censoring procedure in order to obtain information on both failure time percentiles and aging mechanisms by the study of significant properties related to breakdown. The results of multiple-stress tests are presented, and the behavior of such properties as density, melting enthalpy, and DC electrical conductivity is investigated as a function of aging conditions, and is related to the failure times obtained from each life test. It is shown that changes occur in the material during aging under multiple stresses which are not detected at the same aging times when electrical and thermal stresses are applied singly. Moreover, failure times are strongly reduced when stresses are combined, so that the electrical threshold decreases as temperature grows and seems to disappear at temperatures higher than 100 degrees C. The appearance of heterogeneous regions in the bulk of cable models aged under multiple stresses and the time behavior of the investigated properties suggest that the breakdown is mainly due to localized phenomena, even if bulk degradation processes occur in the insulation.<<ETX>>


Magnetised exoplanets are expected to emit at radio frequencies analogously to the radio auroral emission of Earth and Jupiter. We predict the radio emission from V830 Tau b, the youngest (2 Myr) detected exoplanet to date. We model the host star wind using 3DMHD simulations that take into account its surface magnetism. With this, we constrain the local conditions around V830 Tau b that we use to then compute its radio emission. We estimate average radio flux densities of 6 to 24mJy, depending on the assumed radius of the planet (one or two Rjupiter). These radio fluxes are present peaks that are up to twice the average values. We show here that these fluxes are weakly dependent (a factor of 1.8) on the assumed polar planetary magnetic field (10 to 100G), opposed to the maximum frequency of the emission, which ranges from 18 to 240MHz. We also estimate the thermal radio emission from the stellar wind. By comparing our results with VLA and VLBA observations of the system, we constrain the stellar mass-loss rate to be <3e-9 Msun/yr, with likely values between ~1e-12 and 1e-10 Msun/yr. The frequency-dependent extension of the radio-emitting wind is around ~ 3 to 30 Rstar for frequencies in the range of 275 to 50MHz, implying that V830 Tau b, at an orbital distance of 6.1 Rstar, could be embedded in the regions of the host star's wind that are optically thick to radio wavelengths, but not deeply so. Planetary emission can only propagate in the stellar wind plasma if the frequency of the cyclotron emission exceeds the stellar wind plasma frequency. For that, we find that for planetary radio emission to propagate through the host star wind, planetary magnetic field strengths larger than ~1.3 to 13 G are required. The V830 Tau system is a very interesting system for conducting radio observations from both the perspective of radio emission from the planet as well as from the host star's wind.


The present investigation was carried out during kharif 2013-2014 at Norman E. Borlaug Crop Research Center, Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar. In present Investigation Parental lines of Pant Sankar Dhan-3 i.e. UPRI 95-17A (Female line), UPRI 93-287R (restorer line) were sprayed with four GA3 treatments i.e. T1 – GA3 @ 60 gm/ha, T2GA3 @ 90gm/ha, T3GA3 @120gm/ha and T4Control. The objective of the study was to determine optimum dose of GA3 application on seed parent for better seed yield. Experiment revealed that all the characters showed the increasing trend with increasing GA3 dose in field, except number of spikelets per panicle and 1000 seed weight. Germination per cent and other vigour parameters of hybrid rice seed reduced significantly with the increased dose of GA3 and storage period. Highest germination and vigour parameters were observed in T4 (control) and lowest in T3 (120g GA3/ha) at the end of storage period. More yield can be obtained by using GA3 dose 120g/ha (T3). But, it will not be economically viable and high dose of GA3 also adversaly affaected the seed germination and vigour during storage. While, GA3 dose 60g/ha (T3) also gave the significant yield increase over control and gradual loss of germination and vigour was also observed in T3 (60g GA3/ha) in comparison to other GA3 treatments.


An international geochronologic scale is needed in order to provide a single universal standard of reference for dating rock strata, or events recorded in rock strata, anywhere in the world. There are many possible means of relating rock strata and the geologic events they record to the passage of time--physical relations of strata (law of superposition), degree of isotopic decay, stage of organic evolution indicated by fossils, and other methods. Each is useful, but each is fallible under certain circumstances. The ideal standard, therefore, is one which does not depend on any one method but allows and encourages the utilization of all methods of age determination and time correlation. All methods of geologic age determination and time correlation must be based fundamentally on features of the rock strata; and thus the rock strata constitute the best register in which to inscribe the standard reference points--stratotypes--for whatever units or other horizons we wish to recognize in a global geochronologic scale. Only thus, by the designation of standard unit stratotypes, boundary stratotypes, and other horizon stratotypes, can we establish unequivocal definitions of points on this scale in a manner which lends itself to the utilization of all methods of age determination and time correlation, reinforcing the evidence from each by that from all others, and limited for each only by its capacity to usefully contribute. The practical value and utility of points on a global geochronologic scale is dependent on the extent and accuracy with which chronohorizons coincident with the stratotypes of these points can be traced or identified elsewhere in the world. Therefore, effort should be made to designate these stratotypes at places in the stratigraphic sequence which, through their coincidence with, or relation to time-significant features (isotopic dates, fossils, magnetic reversals, etc), particularly lend themselves to reliable widespread time correlation. Individual chronohorizons are no less important than chronostratigraphic units and their boundaries in the reference base for a geochronologic scale. Some geologists have questioned a basic tenet of chronostratigraphy--theoretical boundaries of a chronostratigraphic unit should be everywhere isochronous--on the grounds that erosion or non-deposition has locally altered the position of these boundaries from those seen at the stratotypes. However in such cases, the boundary is still theoretically present at the same time level, although included within the time value of the hiatus or unconformity. The stratotype concept should be applied to the global geochronologic scale, including both Quaternary and Precambrian.


Productivity of 3 difierent 2-year crop rotations, namely continuous wheat, wheat{chickpea, and wheat{fallow, was measured over 4 consecutive seasons beginning in 1991{92 at the ICARDA station, Tel Hadya, Syria. Nitrogen (N) fertiliser (30 kg N/ha at sowing) was broadcast every other year in the continuous wheat only. 15 N-labelled fertiliser was used to quantify the amount of nitrogen supplied to the crops through current and past applications of fertiliser and by N2 flxation. The remaining N in the crop was assumed to come from the soil. In any single season, wheat yields were unafiected by rotation or N level. However, 2-year biomass production was signiflcantly greater (32%, on average) in the continuously cropped plots than in the wheat{fallow rotation. On average, <10% of the N in the wheat crop came from fertiliser in the season of application, and <1¢2 kg N/ha of the residual fertiliser was recovered by a subsequent wheat crop. Chickpea flxed 16{48 kg N/ha, depending on the season, but a negative soil N budget was still likely because the amount of N removed in the grain was usually greater than the amount of atmospheric N2 flxed. Uptake of soil N was similar in the cereal phase of all 3 rotations (38 kg N/ha, on average), but over the whole rotation at least 33% more soil N was removed from continuously cropped plots than from the wheat{fallow rotation, suggesting that the latter is a more sustainable system. A laboratory study showed that although wheat and chickpea residues enhanced the gross rate of N mineralisation by c. 50%, net rates of N mineralisation were usually negative. Given the high C/N ratio of the residue, immobilisation, rather than loss processes, is the likely cause of the decline in the mineral N content of the soil. Consequently, decomposition of crop residues in the fleld may in the short term reduce rather than increase the availability of N for crop growth.


An important element in question answering systems is the analysis and interpretation of questions. Using the NTCIR 5 Cross-Language Question Answering (CLQA) question test set we demonstrate that the accuracy of deep question analysis is dependent on the quantity and suitability of the available linguistic resources. We further demonstrate that applying question analysis tools developed on monolingual training materials to questions translated Chinese-English and English-Chinese using machine translation produces much reduced effectiveness in interpretation of the question. This latter result indicates that question analysis for CLQA should primarily be conducted in the question language prior to translation.


Training classification models on clinical speech is a time-saving and effective solution for many healthcare challenges, such as screening for Alzheimer's Disease over the phone. One of the primary limiting factors of the success of artificial intelligence (AI) solutions is the amount of relevant data available. Clinical data is expensive to collect, not sufficient for large-scale machine learning or neural methods, and often not shareable between institutions due to data protection laws. With the increasing demand for AI in health systems, generating synthetic clinical data that maintains the nuance of underlying patient pathology is the next pressing task. Previous work has shown that automated evaluation of clinical speech tasks via automatic speech recognition (ASR) is comparable to manually annotated results in diagnostic scenarios even though ASR systems produce errors during the transcription process. In this work, we propose to generate synthetic clinical data by simulating ASR deletion errors on the transcript to produce additional data. We compare the synthetic data to the real data with traditional machine learning methods to test the feasibility of the proposed method. Using a dataset of 50 cognitively impaired and 50 control Dutch speakers, ten additional data points are synthetically generated for each subject, increasing the training size for 100 to 1000 training points. We find consistent and comparable performance of models trained on only synthetic data (AUC=0.77) to real data (AUC=0.77) in a variety of traditional machine learning scenarios. Additionally, linear models are not able to distinguish between real and synthetic data.


Denatured DNA preparations from Escherichia coli were centrifuged to equilibrium in cesium chloride solutions. Hybridizing experiments with radioactively labeled ribosomal RNA showed that the DNA strands complementary to ribosomal RNA were distributed on the heavy side of the DNA band. By fractionating this band the DNA strands coding for ribosomal RNA may be enriched 5- to 20- fold.


Abstract The public has growing concerns about the effects of human activity on the environment for both themselves and future generations. The concept being developed to address these environmental concerns, along with economic and social-equity considerations, is called "sustainable development". The business community has already started to address their contribution to environmental issues through collaborative efforts under organizations such as the World Business Council for Sustainable Development. That work has focused primarily on industrial and corporate environmental and economic performance through the development of eco-efficiency metrics, which are a measure of resources and materials consumed per unit output of product, sales, or value-added. While this development is important, it is not enough. Clearly, the environmental performance of the entire product system must also be elucidated. Otherwise, one might forget, for example, the power plant emissions of his or her so-called "zero-emission" vehicle. The metrics required to characterize sustainable practices and systems have yet to be developed. The set will include economic, environmental, and social-equity metrics. Because of their system-oriented environmental performance representation, life-cycle assessment metrics are certainly going to be included in such a set. A discussion of some potential life-cycle metrics follows.


This study aimed to examine the effects of different voluntary forces of dynamic stretching (DS) on the maximal dorsiflexion angle of the ankle joint, passive torque, and subjective fatigue. Eleven healthy male participants were included in this study. Ankle angle and passive torque were measured before and after DS, which involved four sets of ankle plantarflexion-dorsiflexion performed for 30 s while sitting on an isokinetic machine with the knees fully extended. Although ankle plantarflexion was passively performed via an isokinetic machine, participants were instructed to perform the active ankle dorsiflexion under either of the following two conditions: with maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) (DSmax) or with submaximal voluntary contraction (DSsub). In DSsub, 80% MVC was set as the target voluntary force. Subjective fatigue during DS was measured using the visual analogue scale. In DSsub, participants actually demonstrated 87.0 ± 5.8% MVC. The maximal ankle dorsiflexion angle significantly increased after DS in both conditions. Subjective fatigue was significantly greater after two, three, and four sets of DSmax than after the corresponding repetitions of DSsub. Although passive torque at the maximal dorsiflexion angle tended to increase after stretching, no significant changes were observed in the passive torque from before to after DS. These results compared MVC with approximately 87% MVC, indicating that the voluntary force of DS did not influence the increment of the maximal dorsiflexion angle after DS. Our study findings also suggested that 80–90% MVC is recommended during DS to increase the maximal dorsiflexion angle without excessive subjective fatigue. Jpn J Phys Fitness Sports Med, 68(4): 269-277 (2019)


An important and resource-intensive class of computation codes consists of simulators for physical systems. Today, most simulation codes are written in general-purpose imperative languages such as C or FORTRAN. Unfortunately, such languages encourage the programmer to focus her attention on details of how the computation is performed, rather than on the system being modeled.
 This paper reports the design and implementation of a novel notion of an object for a physical modeling language called Acumen. A key idea underlying the language's design is encouraging a programming style that enables a "globally parallel, locally imperative" view of the world. The language is also being designed to preserve deterministic execution even when the underlying computation is performed on a highly parallel platform. Our main observation with the initial study is that extensive and continual experimental evaluation is crucial for keeping the language design process informed about bottlenecks for parallel execution.


Differential GPS (DGPS) has the potential to reduce spherical position error standard deviation to approximately 1 m. However, two practical issues affect the accuracy that can be achieved in real-time applications: long sampling periods and data latency. Low-bandwidth communications channels can result in differential corrections with sampling periods greater than 5 s. A time delay (latency) is inherent between the generation of pseudorange corrections and their application by the user. For real-time applications (e.g., autonomous vehicle navigation), low DGPS correction update rates and data latency are a fundamental performance limitation. This paper analyzes the modeling of differential corrections, uses the resulting optimal models for differential correction latency compensation, and analyzes the resulting accuracy by comparison with the first-order polynomial predictors recommended in the RTCM-104 standard. The comparison shows that, as long as the base station produces appropriate coefficients for the polynomial predictor, there is no significant accuracy improvement achieved by an optimal (i.e., Kalman filter-based) predictor over the RTCM-recommended polynomial predictor.


It was shown possible to use feeding of hydrogen peroxide as a method for investigating the impact of dissolved oxygen concentrations on growth and development of microorganisms. The influence of pO2 on the respiration intensity was studied in penicillin- and erythromycin-producing cultures and it was found that dependence of the respiration intensity on pO2 had the form of a curve with saturation, at pO2 equal to zero the value of the culture respiration intensity being different from zero. A mathematical model accounting for the presence in the fermentation broth of microbial agglomerates with the average size depending on the agitation conditions is proposed for describing the relationships.


Abstract Forest loss and degradation in the tropics contribute 6–17% of all greenhouse gas emissions. Protected areas cover 217.2 million ha (19.6%) of the world's humid tropical forests and contain c. 70.3 petagrams of carbon (Pg C) in biomass and soil to 1 m depth. Between 2000 and 2005, we estimate that 1.75 million ha of forest were lost from protected areas in humid tropical forests, causing the emission of 0.25–0.33 Pg C. Protected areas lost about half as much carbon as the same area of unprotected forest. We estimate that the reduction of these carbon emissions from ongoing deforestation in protected sites in humid tropical forests could be valued at USD 6,200–7,400 million depending on the land use after clearance. This is > 1.5 times the estimated spending on protected area management in these regions. Improving management of protected areas to retain forest cover better may be an important, although certainly not sufficient, component of an overall strategy for reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD).


This paper empirically investigates the relation between growth and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Turkey. There are mixed conclusions about the impact of FDI on growth and the literature includes many studies where FDI has negative, positive and no significant effects on growth. Turkey serves like an open lab for such empirical studies since the country has experienced high and persistent levels of inflation for about thirty years as well as several economic crises in the last decade after which the inflation is taken under control and high growth rates are attained. Furthermore, Turkey has managed to start receiving considerable FDI recently. We establish a VAR Model with 5 variables to examine the FDI-Growth relation and consequently the impulse-response analysis are carried out to see the impact of shocks on the variables entering the VAR equations. We also included the variance decomposition to work out the sources of variance in both growth and FDI. Our model provides empirical support to bi-directional causality between FDI and growth.


[1] Flask samples from two sites in East Asia, Tae-Ahn Peninsula, Korea (TAP), and Shangdianzi, China (SDZ), were measured for trace gases including CO2, CO and fossil fuel CO2 (CO2ff, derived from Δ14CO2observations). The five-year TAP record shows high CO2ff when local air comes from the Korean Peninsula. Most samples, however, reflect air masses from Northeastern China with lower CO2ff. Our small set of SDZ samples from winter 2009/2010 have strongly elevated CO2ff. Biospheric CO2 contributes substantially to total CO2variability at both sites, even in winter when non-fossil CO2 sources (including photosynthesis, respiration, biomass burning and biofuel use) contribute 20–30% of the total CO2 enhancement. Carbon monoxide (CO) correlates strongly with CO2ff. The SDZ and TAP far-field (China influenced) samples have CO: CO2ff ratios (RCO:CO2ff) of 47 ± 2 and 44 ± 3 ppb/ppm respectively, consistent with recent bottom-up inventory estimates and other observational studies. Locally influenced TAP samples fall into two distinct data sets, ascribed to air sourced from South Korea and North Korea. The South Korea samples have low RCO:CO2ffof 13 ± 3 ppb/ppm, slightly higher than bottom-up inventories, but consistent with emission ratios for other developed nations. We compare our CO2ff observations with modeled CO2ff using the FLEXPART Lagrangian particle dispersion model convolved with a bottom-up CO2ff emission inventories. The modeled annual mean CO2ff mole fractions are consistent with our observations when the model inventory includes the reported 63% increase in Chinese emissions from 2004 to 2010, whereas a model version which holds Chinese emissions flat is unable to replicate the observations.


This paper analyses the 1992 Time Use Survey by the Australian Bureau of Statistics in order to compare contextual aspects of time spent with children by mothers and by fathers. The research finds that when mothers are with children they are more likely to be in sole charge, to perform onerous or routine tasks, and to do other activities at the same time, than are fathers. The paper argues that these findings imply that the experience of child care is qualitatively different for men and women.


The development of an evolutionary optimisation method and its application to the design of an advanced composite structure is discussed. Composite materials are increasingly being used in various fields, and so optimisation of such structures would be advantageous. From among the various methods available, one particular method, known as Evolutionary Structural Optimisation (ESO), is shown here. ESO is an empirical method, based on the concept of removing and adding material from a structure, in order to create an optimum shape. Much work has been done on ESO by various researchers. V. Young, G.P Steven, Y.M. Xie and O.M. Querin extended the basic ESO algorithm to the addition of elements and multiple load cases. S. Savas, M. Ulker, and M.P. Saka utilised ESO to create structures with a uniform stress distribution. Both ESO algorithms were applied to isotropic structures. The basic principle of ESO is to remove material from the model, based on certain criteria, stress being typical. The method can also add material back, where it may become necessary to reinforce the structure, which may happen when excessive material is removed. The model undergoes an iterative process of analysis and modification, the cycle continuing until certain conditions are met, ranging from weight reduction to stress limits. The objective of the current research is to create an ESO method, utilising MSC.Patran/Nastran, to optimise composite structures. The final algorithm created is simple, in order to improve efficiency and reduce total analysis runtimes. The algorithm modifies the properties of the element, rather than removing it from the structure completely. This ensures that the connectivity of the elements remains intact. Elements are selected for removal or addition based on a driving criterion. The composite structures are modelled as a core and shell. The core consists of 3D elements with orthotropic properties, and the skin is represented by non-removable 2D shell elements. These shell elements bear the loads and boundary conditions. They also keep the external shape of the model, which is important for aerodynamic structures. The models were run through the ESO algorithm until the final optimised structure remained. A tailfin of an aircraft was used as an application example. The aim was to reduce weight and create an optimised design for manufacture. The criterion for the analyses undertaken was stress based. The results of this research are presented in the paper.Copyright © 2006 by ASME


7 patients with primary and 3 patients with secondary Raynaud's disease were studied by directional Doppler-ultrasound. Flow curves were registered of radial and ulnar artery in rest and during reactive hyperemia following ischemia and muscle work before and under medical treatment. Flow at rest and after provocation was much less than in normal persons. Effect of treatment could be demonstrated, so that this method seems to be very helpful in followup studies of patients with Raynaud's disease.


The Maximum Likelihood method estimates the parameter values of a statistical model that maximizes the corresponding likelihood function, given the sample information. This is the primal approach that, in this paper, is presented as a mathematical programming specification whose solution requires the formulation of a Lagrange problem. A result of this setup is that the Lagrange multipliers associated with the linear statistical model (where sample observations are regarded as a set of constraints) are equal to the vector of residuals scaled by the variance of those residuals. The novel contribution of this paper consists in deriving the dual model of the Maximum Likelihood method under normality assumptions. This model minimizes a function of the variance of the error terms subject to orthogonality conditions between the model residuals and the space of explanatory variables. An intuitive interpretation of the dual problem appeals to basic elements of information theory and an economic interpretation of Lagrange multipliers to establish that the dual maximizes the net value of the sample information. This paper presents the dual ML model for a single regression and provides a numerical example of how to obtain maximum likelihood estimates of the parameters of a linear statistical model using the dual specification.


In this paper, we discuss the development and testing of a haptics-based stroke rehabilitation system. The system involves a 6-degrees of freedom haptic device and a virtual reality game designed to induce implicit learning in users. We present the preliminary usability/feasibility study of our system as a rehabilitation tool with 15 healthy subjects while using their non-dominant hand. The three-session study demonstrates improvements in all quantitative performance metrics of the learning tasks and the self-perceived workload levels of the subjects. We also studied the differences in performance arising due to three different assistance modes — no assistance, assist-as-needed, and continuous assistance. Comparing the differences in improvements of the performance metrics among the subject groups suggests that fewer sessions of assisted therapy may have the same effects as more sessions of unassisted therapy. We also observed that within the two assisted groups, the assist-as-needed strategy led to greater improvements than the continuously assisted group; which might be due to the lower mental/physical demand associated with the continuously assisted paradigm.


Screening colonoscopies save lives. A bold statement, certainly, but one borne out of extensive research and well-established data and one that we gastroenterologists believe is the main reason why we do colonoscopies each day. Studies demonstrate a significant decrease in the risk of developing as well as dying from colorectal cancer (CRC) in average-risk patients who undergo screening colonoscopy (1,2). The benefit of colonoscopy on CRC development and mortality comes from the ability to remove adenomatous polyps and, hence has arisen the importance of and focus on adenoma detection. Adenoma detection rate (ADR) is currently a quality measure for colonoscopy due its demonstrated inverse association with the development of CRC and mortality (3-6). Corley et al . demonstrated that each 1% increase in ADR is associated with a 3% decrease in the risk for CRC (7). This direct correlation has prompted study into how to improve an endoscopist's ADR and what characteristics are associated with an endoscopists' ADR. Feedback provided to endoscopists as well as periodic monitoring have resulted in improved ADR, especially in those endoscopists who, at baseline, were considered 'low detectors' (ADR <25%) (8-12).


Nanocrystallization is known to yield several improvements for the storage and uptake rate of hydrogen in solids. Usually this process is achieved by ball milling to produce a nanopowders. However, handling of these powders is risky and difficult, and there is also a high risk of introducing impurities into the storage material. In this situation materials processed by Severe Plastic Deformation (SPD) yield several advantages: (i) the materials are produced in bulk shape with 100% density; (ii) the introduction of impurities is minimized, (iii) in addition to additional grain boundaries, many dislocations and particularly vacancies are generated which may further improve the hydrogen storage capacity and kinetics.


The fatigue characteristic of a material or a structure is derived from fatigue tests of standard specimens. However, many researches have reported that test results of standard specimens are very different from those of real structures or components. One reason for this difference is the constraint effects according to the geometrical difference. Therefore, to calculate more accurate fatigue life, the constraint effect must be considered by comparing test results of standard specimens with those of real structures or components. Another reason for this difference is the surface condition. All surfaces of a standard specimen are polished to obtain similar conditions in a fatigue test. However, in a piping system, surface conditions of components are different from each other and very different from that of a standard specimen. Because fatigue life is effected by a surface condition, to evaluate the fatigue life of a piping system, fatigue tests must be conducted with a specimen extracted from a pipe with the same surface condition. The objective of this paper is to evaluate the fatigue characteristic of a real waterworks pipe by conducting fatigue tests with standard specimens and non-standard specimens of base metal and weld metal. Standard fatigue specimens and non-standard specimens were extracted from a steel pipe used in waterworks. Also, fatigue tests of pipes used in water service were carried out and then compared with those of standard specimens and non-standard specimens. From these results the relation between the S-N diagram of a specimen and that of a pipe specimen was evaluated.


ABSTRACT
 Western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte, is a major pest of corn, Zea mays L. The effect of the Bt proteins Cry34/35Ab1 and Cry3Bb1, alone or pyramided in corn hybrids on D. v. virgifera adult emergence was evaluated in field experiments for 3 yr. Experiments were infested artificially with 2,500 viable D. v. virgifera eggs per row meter of corn. The reduction in beetle emergence compared with non-Bt controls, from Cry34/35Ab1, Cry3Bb1, and the pyramided hybrids ranged from 64.3 to 97.4%, 91.1 to 95.2%, and 98.1 to 99.6%, respectively. The sex ratio of emerged beetles was usually female-biased from the Cry3Bb1 and pyramided treatments, but not from Cry34/35Ab1 treatment alone. Emergence from all Bt hybrids was delayed compared with the control, with the delay longest from the pyramided hybrid. In 2013, three egg infestation levels were tested, with densitydependent mortality observed at 1,250 viable eggs per row meter. The effect of Bt proteins on the emergence timing and sex ratio of D. v. virgifera may impact the suitability of resistance management plans, specifically the effectiveness of the refuge strategy. Susceptible males emerging from refuge might not be synchronized to mate with potentially resistant females emerging later from Bt corn hybrids.


This paper uses a unique U.S. airlines panel data set to empirically study the dynamic pricing of inventories with uncertain demand over a finite horizon. I estimate a dynamic pricing equation and a dynamic demand equation that jointly characterize the adjustment process between prices and sales as the flight date nears. I find that the price increases as the inventory decreases, and decreases as there is less time to sell. Consistent with aggregate demand learning and price adjustment, demand shocks have a positive and much larger effect on prices than the positive effect of anticipated sales.


BACKGROUND
The research examines the influence of internet addiction of adolescents in Croatia and Germany and its impact on the subjective feeling of health status. The purpose of this paper is also to give insight into how the Internet addiction which is a risky health behavior affects the health status of adolescents. The excessive use of Internet is linked with the lower health status of Croatian adolescents as well as of the adolescents in Germany.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS
Respondents are defined as students who attend school regularly ages 11-18. The modified SF-36 questionnaire and IAT for Internet addiction were used.

RESULTS
The Spearman correlation coefficient was calculated -0.23 with N=459 and p<0.001. Accordingly, the correlation between health quality and Internet addiction is negative but statistically significant (p<0.001).

CONCLUSION
There is a strong correlation between adolescents' mental health and quality of life and the level of their Internet addiction. Out of the total number of adolescents in ill-health, 39% of them are moderately or severely addicted to the Internet. 20% out of the total number of adolescents in medium health is moderate of severely addicted to the Internet. Finally, out of the total number of adolescents in good health 13% has been moderate of highly addicted to the Internet. Therefore, the better the adolescents' health, the fewer the Internet addicts. And vice versa, the worse the health, the more the Internet addicts.


Eye gaze technology may be beneficial for individuals with little or no movement of their limbs. Examples of such users are those who have suffered brainstem stroke, MS or high‐level quadriplegia (Cook & Hussey, 2002). Its advantage is that it is a direct access method, with no intermediary steps involved in making a selection, thus, potentially speeding access to applications the user requires (eg. communication and environmental control). Using an eye gaze system may also be preferable for those capable of using an indirect method such as a switch accessible scanning interface. Recent advances in the technology, including demands from clinicians, clients and families, raised awareness, and independent evaluation sources such as the COGAIN (communication by gaze interaction) project have stimulated a competitive commercial market for such systems. In the UK, a number of devices are available through different suppliers. It is vital that careful assessment is conducted prior to choosing an gaze interaction system, an example being that a particular system may not accommodate a large amount of involuntary head movement, such as with athetoid CP. The same system however, may be appropriate for someone with a lesser degree of involuntary movement, as found with spinal cord injury. It is therefore important that the assessment process should include careful consideration of the individuals' strengths, identification of goals and tasks, the environment in which they are to be accomplished and identification of assistive technology options (Aigner & Blalock, 1999). This paper presents two case studies; one describes the assessment and provision of eye gaze technology for a young woman born with severe physical disability and the other for an adult with acquired brain injury.


Angiogenic factors, including bFGF and VEGF, induce cytosolic calcium (Cac) increases in endothelial cells, critically involved in angiogenesis progression. At low agonist concentrations, Cac elevation is mainly due to calcium entry controlled by a complex interplay between two intracellular messengers, arachidonic acid (AA) and nitric oxide (NO), released upon stimulation with proangiogenic factors: they trigger spatially localized calcium signals restricted to the cell periphery, and such a spatiotemporal pattern could contribute to the specificity of cellular responses. Based on experimental measurements, here we provide the first quantitative spatiotemporal 3D modeling of proangiogenic calcium events in endothelial cells using Virtual Cell framework. The main aims were to validate previously proposed signaling pathways and to suggest new experimental protocols. The most relevant conclusions are: 1. The interplay between AA and NO, previously proposed to be responsible for VEGF/bFGF-dependent calcium entry in endothelial cells, triggers peripheral calcium signals that reproduce the experimental measurements; 2. Spatial restriction is not an artefact due to the calcium-sensitive dye; 3. Channels clusterization in thin lamellipodia plays a key role in the generation of the peripheral-restricted proangiogenic calcium signals; 4. A model containing two distinct channels, named AAAC and NOAC, respectively activated by AA or NO, explains the basic properties of proangiogenic calcium signals. This could be considered an 'open model' containing the simplest conditions leading to a satisfactory reproduction of the experimental results: it should be implemented in order to make it more complete and to maximize physical and biochemical constraints.


Europe marks a new stage in protecting whistleblowers. With a vast majority, in April 2019 the European Parliament (EP) voted positively on the Directive protecting whistleblowers that for the first time offers leading legal standards across the European Union (EU). In the same month, the Council of Europe (CoE) adopted a Resolution on the local and regional protection of whistleblowers. The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) has also judged in favour of whistleblowers in a number of cases as part of defending freedom of expression. Whilst civil society and progressive legislators have been calling for protection of whistleblowers in Europe for over a decade, many national governments were not in favour of opening channels of disclosure for insiders. At the same time, key information on abuses of power and corruption only became available to the public due to whistleblowers in light of the erosion of rule of law and the weakening of traditional accountability checks in many European states. Whistleblowing received more positive public attention, which in turn yielded support for establishing legal protections. This contribution maps these developments, the current EU legislative framework as well as the ECtHR case law. Whilst the contribution acknowledges the significance of whistleblowing in invigorating the rule of law in Europe, it argues that its effectiveness is essentially contingent upon the proper functioning of institutional accountability and the solidity of freedom of press at the national level.


Abstract. Our examination of the 20 years of magnetospheric magnetic field data from ISEE, AMPTE/CCE and Polar missions has allowed us to quantify how the ring current flows and closes in the magnetosphere at a variety of disturbance levels. Using intercalibrated magnetic field data from the three spacecraft, we are able to construct the statistical magnetic field maps and derive 3-dimensional current density by the simple device of taking the curl of the statistically determined magnetic field. The results show that there are two ring currents, an inner one that flows eastward at ~3 RE and a main westward ring current at ~4–7 RE for all levels of geomagnetic disturbances. In general, the in-situ observations show that the ring current varies as the Dst index decreases, as we would expect it to change. An unexpected result is how asymmetric it is in local time. Some current clearly circles the magnetosphere but much of the energetic plasma stays in the night hemisphere. These energetic particles appear not to be able to readily convect into the dayside magnetosphere. During quiet times, the symmetric and partial ring currents are similar in strength (~0.5MA) and the peak of the westward ring current is close to local midnight. It is the partial ring current that exhibits most drastic intensification as the level of disturbances increases. Under the condition of moderate magnetic storms, the total partial ring current reaches ~3MA, whereas the total symmetric ring current is ~1MA. Thus, the partial ring current contributes dominantly to the decrease in the Dst index. As the ring current strengthens the peak of the partial ring current shifts duskward to the pre-midnight sector. The partial ring current is closed by a meridional current system through the ionosphere, mainly the field-aligned current, which maximizes at local times near the dawn and dusk. The closure currents flow in the sense of region-2 field-aligned currents, downward into the ionosphere near the dusk and upward out of the ionosphere near the dawn. Key words. Magnetospheric physics (current systems; storms and substorms; magnetospheric configuration and dynamics)


Background The use of real-time feedback systems to guide rescuers during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) significantly contributes to improve adherence to published resuscitation guidelines. Recently, we designed a novel method for computing depth and rate of chest compressions relying solely on the spectral analysis of chest acceleration. That method was extensively tested in a simulated manikin scenario. The purpose of this study is to report the results of this method as tested in human out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) cases. Materials and methods The algorithm was evaluated retrospectively with seventy five OHCA episodes recorded by monitor-defibrillators equipped with a CPR feedback device. The acceleration signal and the compression signal computed by the CPR feedback device were stored in each episode. The algorithm was continuously applied to the acceleration signals. The depth and rate values estimated every 2-s from the acceleration data were compared to the reference values obtained from the compression signal. The performance of the algorithm was assesed in terms of the sensitivity and positive predictive value (PPV) for detecting compressions and in terms of its accuracy through the analysis of measurement error. Results The algorithm reported a global sensitivity and PPV of 99.98% and 99.79%, respectively. The median (P75) unsigned error in depth and rate was 0.9 (1.7) mm and 1.0 (1.7) cpm, respectively. In 95% of the analyzed 2-s windows the error was below 3.5 mm and 3.1 cpm, respectively. Conclusions The CPR feedback algorithm proved to be reliable and accurate when tested retrospectively with human OHCA episodes. A new CPR feedback device based on this algorithm could be helpful in the resuscitation field.


Background: Thrombophilia is an inherited or acquired predisposition for
development of thrombosis. One of the common thrombophilia polymorphisms
is Factor V Leiden (FVL) mutation, which may contribute to negative pregnancy
outcomes. This systematic review study seeks to describe the potential effects of
factor V Leiden mutation on adverse pregnancy outcomes. Methods: Pubmed,
Embase, ISI Web of Sciences, Scopus, ScienceDirect, Proquest and Google
Scholar, for articles published during 1996-2017. Articles were evaluated by the
Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology
(STROBE) checklist for standard reporting. As well, the quality of studies was
assessed by the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). Results: A total of 14 studies
were eligible based on the inclusion criteria. The papers were scored by the
STROBE checklist. The range of STROBE score was 15-20. Only 37.5% of the
studies confirmed the relationship between fetal loss and FVL. The effect of FVL
mutation on spontaneous abortions and In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) failures was
demonstrated in all the studies. In the reviewed studies, there was no observed
relationship between FVL mutation with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR),
preeclampsia, placental abruption or small for gestational age (SGA).Conclusion: The reviewed studies showed an unclear association between FVL
mutation and stillbirth, IUGR, preeclampsia, or placental abruption. The exact
effects of hereditary thrombophilia on pregnancy outcome is also still
controversial. However, FVL mutation appeared to have an effect on
spontaneous abortions and IVF failures. Therefore, screening patients for
thrombophilic polymorphisms might be helpful.


Zeolite
synthesis was studied using two silica rich filtration residues (FR 1 and FR 2)
as Si-source and sodium aluminate in a direct synthesis at 60°C at strong
alkaline conditions (8 M - 16 M NaOH). In addition to these one-pot syntheses,
a two-step process was investigated. Here, an alkaline digestion of FR at 60°C
was followed by gel precipitation with sodium aluminate and gel crystallization
under usual conditions of 80°C - 90°C. The results show that the substitution
of chemical reagent sodium silicate by a waste material like FR as Si-source is
possible but requires fine tuning of the reaction conditions as zeolite
crystallization is a process under kinetic control. The solubility behaviour
and impurities of the inserted filtration residues strongly influenced the
course of reaction. Thus zeolites like hydrosodalite or intermediate zeolite
between cancrinite and sodalite, or zeolite NaA or Z-21 in cocrystallization
with hydrosodalite could be observed in the one pot syntheses already in a short time interval between 1
- 4 h depending on the alkalinity. The two step process yield to zeolites NaA
and NaX in very good quality. The reaction process of FR in both reaction
methods was characterized by chemical analyses, X-ray powder diffraction,
Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy as well as scanning electron microscopy. Surface area and water content of selected products were further characterized
by the BET-method and by thermogravimetry. Summing up the results, we can show
that zeolite formation from filtration residues is possible by several reaction
procedures as model cases for a re-use of industrial waste materials. Beside
the importance for environmental protection, the reactions are of interest for
zeolite chemistry as the re-use of FR is possible under economically conditions
of low energy consumption at 60°C and short reaction periods.


Since its initial publication in 1979, Sources for the Study of Greek Religion has become an essential classroom resource in the field of classical studies. The Society of Biblical Literature is pleased to present a corrected edition in a new, attractive, and electronic-friendly format with hopes that it will inspire a new generation of classicists and religious historians. This volume includes primary texts and documents in translation, illustrating the range of Greek religious beliefs and practices from Homer to Alexander the Great with the addition of relevant post-classical material. The sources are arranged in chapters devoted to the Olympian gods, heroes, public religion (including rural cults), private religion, mystery cults, and death and afterlife. Introductory notes place the selections in their context in Greek history and provide basic bibliography. The volume includes a glossary of technical terms, a general index, and an index of ancient sources cited. Beyond the correction of minor errors and use of footnotes rather than endnotes, the reader will find that the present volume remains true to the original.